You’ve Been Wrapped: A Holiday Staff Appreciation Idea
A holiday staff appreciation pass-it-on chain idea
5-10 min per staff member
Snow Ya Later: A Winter Break Staff Activity
A winter break staff activity with a traveling snowman.
Alissa Christensen
What is Snow Ya Later?
A winter break staff activity where every staff member gets a mini snowman figurine to photograph during the break. Staff take their snowman along to holiday gatherings, trips, and cozy days at home, then submit their best photos when school starts back up.
Why try it
Send your team into winter break with something fun!
Snow Ya Later gives staff a small, festive send-off on the last day before break and a reason to reconnect when they return.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Mini snowman figurines, one per staff member
Printed snowman tags
Ribbon or string to attach tags
Shared photo folder or email address for submissions
Instructions
1
Buy the snowmen
Prep a mini snowman for every staff member
Order enough mini snowman figurines for your whole staff. Print the included tags, then tie one to each snowman with ribbon or string.
2
Hand them out
Hand out snowmen before winter break
On the last day before break, deliver a snowman to each staff member’s mailbox or classroom. Send a quick note with the details: “Take your snowman along this break and snap photos wherever it goes. Send your favorites to [folder or email] by [date] for a chance to win a prize.”
3
Collect photos
Collect snowman photos after break
Set a submission deadline a few days after school starts. Gather photos in a shared folder so they’re easy to sort by category.
4
Share and award
Share photos and award prizes
Show the photos at your first staff meeting back or in the staff newsletter. Announce a winner in each category and hand out prizes.
Prize categories: Farthest traveled, Most festive snowman, Coziest snowman, Best group photo with family, friends, or pets, Most creative setting, Best action shot, Best sunrise or sunset shot, Best snowman selfie
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Let staff vote
Post the photos in the staff lounge or a shared slideshow and let staff vote for winners in each category.
Map the snowman travels
Hang a map in the staff lounge and pin each photo to the place it was taken, with a string tracing the farthest trip.
Swap the snowman for a mascot
Use a mini version of your school mascot in place of the snowman, and keep the same photo challenge and prize categories.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Send the first snowman photo yourself
Post a photo of your own snowman early in the break to show staff the idea and get the submissions started.
Leader Tip #2
Use reward coupons as prizes
Print a few reward coupons to hand out to each category winner.
Leader Tip #3
Ask before sharing family photos
Check with staff before showing photos that include their kids or family members, and let them flag any they’d like to keep private.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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